Culinary Artistas Kids Camps

Culinary Artistas Kids Camps centers around kids cooking together, including preparing brunch and lunch, and taking part in a STEAM activity. Each camp day also includes outdoor play, lawn games, time to play with sand toys, and other active play and exploration. The program also hosts birthday parties and celebrations, school programs, Plate Date family events, corporate team-building and networking experiences, and virtual cooking experiences.

• Ages: 4–10 years old
• Schedule: Weekday camps from 9:00am–3:00pm

Culinary Artistas Kids Camps runs weeklong and single-day cooking camps during school holidays and summer break in San Francisco and the East Bay for kids ages 4–10. Camps are offered on most school holidays and almost every day of summer, with up to about 26 kids in a single day camp in the Ghirardelli Square studio. The typical staffing ratio is 1 staff member to 6 kids, which may increase to 1 staff member to 8 kids when certain staff members are on break, and outdoor adventures use a 1:6 or 1:8 adult-to-child ratio, a buddy system, and clear boundaries for play. The program can accommodate most allergies with appropriate substitutions.

Daily camp structure runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm on weekdays, starting with arrivals and activity centers, followed by a welcome circle and stretching, then cooking brunch, eating, cleanup, and quiet time. Late morning and early afternoon include cooking lunch and a STEAM activity, another eat/cleanup/quiet time block, outdoor play, snack and cleanup, and a closing circle and pick-up. Themes include “Palette to Plate: Baking Colorful California Cuisine,” “Beyond Borders: Baking World Cuisine,” and “Baking Bliss: From Whisk to Wonder,” with each themed week wrapping up with a costume party on Friday. There is also a Counselor in Training (CIT) culinary leadership program for kids aged 12–16.

Culinary Artistas started in 2016 and states that it has 10 years of experience hosting over 5,000 campers. The founder is Vanessa Silva. Lead staff are certified in Adult, Child, and Infant First Aid & CPR. The organization is nationally certified as a Woman Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise.

The stated mission is that, through hands-on, sensory adventures, the program teaches an intuitive approach to cooking that empowers young chefs to trust their instincts while exploring global flavors and techniques. Culinary Artistas offers school programs in collaboration with schools and nonprofits in the Bay Area and states that it deeply values community connections, sustainable living, and making educational opportunities possible for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds, while prioritizing sustainability, people and community, and a vibrant living experience.

Testimonials from families and organizations describe the venue and staff, including comments about a big family-style eating experience, bonding between co-workers at events, seamless planning and execution, and a chef who was very patient and interactive with kids. One testimonial notes that everything was “just perfect” for a group of around 30 people and recommends the space for events.

Last updated March 19, 2026.